Greece Could Get New Bailout Assistance

     The Greek government is moving toward restructuring its debt and could soon win approval for another $85 billion or more in international financing.

    News agencies reported on Tuesday that a year after Athens arranged a $158 billion bailout, the debt-ridden government is looking for more aid to cover its operations for the next two years. In addition to new financing, the European Union and International Monetary¹ Fund could also extend the length of time Greece would have to pay back last year's loans.

    The Greek(希腊) Finance Ministry² said details have yet to be worked out on any new financing. One senior official said decisions could be made as soon as next month.

    Greece has imposed a variety of spending austerity measures and new taxes, but is plagued by a shrinking economy, higher borrowing costs and falling tax revenues. The Standard & Poor's financial services firm cut the country's credit rating on Monday over concerns that lenders might have to extend the time for Athens to repay its debts.

    Financial analysts³ say further assistance for Greece is temporarily good news, but that its underlying⁴ financial problems remain a concern. There is not unanimous European support for further financial assistance for Greece.

    Voters in Finland gave new support to anti-bailout lawmakers in last month's national election. German Chancellor⁵ Angela Merkel, who oversees⁶ Europe's strongest economy, says it is too soon to decide what, if anything, needs to be done to further aid Greece.(本文由在线英语听力室整理编辑)

1 monetary   

adj.货币的，钱的；通货的；金融的；财政的

参考例句：

• The monetary system of some countries used to be based on gold.过去有些国家的货币制度是金本位制的。
• Education in the wilderness is not a matter of monetary means.荒凉地区的教育不是钱财问题。

2 ministry   

n.(政府的)部；牧师

参考例句：

• They sent a deputation to the ministry to complain.他们派了一个代表团到部里投诉。
• We probed the Air Ministry statements.我们调查了空军部的记录。

3 analysts   

分析家，化验员( analyst的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• City analysts forecast huge profits this year. 伦敦金融分析家预测今年的利润非常丰厚。
• I was impressed by the high calibre of the researchers and analysts. 研究人员和分析人员的高素质给我留下了深刻印象。

4 underlying   

adj.在下面的，含蓄的，潜在的

参考例句：

• The underlying theme of the novel is very serious.小说隐含的主题是十分严肃的。
• This word has its underlying meaning.这个单词有它潜在的含义。

5 chancellor   

n.(英)大臣；法官；(德、奥)总理；大学校长

参考例句：

• They submitted their reports to the Chancellor yesterday.他们昨天向财政大臣递交了报告。
• He was regarded as the most successful Chancellor of modern times.他被认为是现代最成功的财政大臣。

6 oversees   

v.监督，监视( oversee的第三人称单数 )

参考例句：

• She oversees both the research and the manufacturing departments. 她既监督研究部门又监督生产部门。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• The Department of Education oversees the federal programs dealing with education. 教育部监管处理教育的联邦程序。 来自互联网